Five individuals who posed as police officers were arrested after allegedly robbing around P64,000 from two men who traveled to Pasig to seek help from a friend in processing their security license application.

The Eastern Police District (EPD) identified the suspects as “Arnel,” 38; “Ronnel,” 39; “Dorus,” 21; “Lil,” 18; and “Miguelito,” 33. A woman, identified as “Ericka,” was also arrested for obstruction of justice.

According to the investigation, the two victims traveled from Baguio to Pasig on Feb. 10 after trusting a friend who said they knew someone who could process their application even without submitting the required documents.

The victims immediately went to Pasig following their friend’s suggestion, as they said that they were in a hurry to apply for a security guard position in their area and hoped to secure a spot quickly.

However, when they arrived in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, their alleged friend brought them to an empty house. The friend reportedly left the house and returned with suspects dressed in police uniforms and declared a hold-up.

The suspects forcibly took the victims’ belongings, including mobile phones worth P8,000 and P36,000, as well as cash amounting to P64,000, which the victims had intended to use for their security license application.

The victims said the suspects threatened them before fleeing the scene. They immediately reported the incident to the nearest police station.

Personnel of the Pinagbuhatan Police Sub-Station 5 immediately launched a follow-up operation, resulting in the suspects’ arrest later that night.

Authorities recovered from the suspects one of the victim’s mobile phones, a caliber .38 revolver loaded with two rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade.

During a body search, police also found two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 10.8 grams, with an estimated combined amount of P73,440.

Authorities said that Ericka was also arrested along with the suspects for attempting to interfere with the arrest by grappling with the arresting officers to help other cohorts escape, which prompted them to arrest her for obstruction of justice.

The suspects are currently in the custody of the Pasig City Police Station and will face charges for robbery hold-up, violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), violation of RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives), and violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

Meanwhile, EPD District Director Brig. Gen. Aden T. Lagradante lauded the operating units for their decisive and coordinated response that resulted in the suspects’ immediate arrest.

“The immediate arrest of these suspects demonstrates the vigilance and professionalism of our Pasig City Police. Their action not only solved a serious crime but also neutralized dangerous individuals, illegal drugs, and firearms from our streets. We will remain uncompromising in our mission to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law,” he said.